This author, scholar and blogger had the privilege of serving as a college professor of History and Political Science for 53 years, teaching, either full time or part time, at a total of eight different colleges and universities, four in New York from 1972-1989, and four in south Florida from 1989-2025.
Never in those years did the thought of someone speaking before college and university students being assassinated, with thousands looking on, cross my mind.
So the shocking assassination of right wing advocate Charlie Kirk in Utah has hit every person, who believes in dialogue and tolerance of differing views, with a sense of shock and disbelief.
It makes one have to worry that college and university campuses may be in danger of being new battlegrounds of dissidents using weapons to attack their rivals, a situation that is intolerable and horrifying!
Higher education is supposed to be the location for open, challenging debate of ideas, but not a location to set out to eliminate those critical of others, and unwilling to have a civilized dialogue.
It is clear that colleges and universities will have to bolster their law enforcement operations as essential actions, but also a sad commentary on the growing threat of political violence!
It is also essential to listen to Utah Republican Governor Spencer Cox, who promoted dialogue and understanding in the wake of the shooting, arguing for the need to tone down the rhetoric and accusations, particularly since the young man who committed the terrible act was from a Republican and Trump supporting family, not from a so called “leftist’ background!
Musk urges 100,000 at far-right London rally to ‘fight back or die.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/cabinet-minister-slams-elon-musk-095728809.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAM9ptg0_QSaqmYlK6ZjMjIFG65R8ayc6bw338BgQ49X6c4bmBjyzEVsCLcDDjvtoZwI7scpddO7QZNmWluoT_D724Bl76IE7W4TMwfEouD_0SmI_2KFzbpLAlc781CWpbaC0FTtHyAtxDiVAYS1byfek93YUSVy-2q3RCBHFeHMe
Speaking of college…
Trump’s travel ban keeps international students from coming to the US for college.
https://apnews.com/article/travel-ban-trump-college-international-students-2b23373c85cafbdcfc7a2498d66cb83d
That’s a huge loss – economically, in terms of “soft power,” you name it.
Trump continues to dig in.
In an interview with NBC News, Trump talked about the Charlie Kirk assassination, criticized ‘a radical left group of lunatics’ and called for Democratic donor George Soros to be jailed.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-radical-left-healing-charlie-kirk-assassination-rcna231032
The shooter and our poisonous internet.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/14/opinion/charlie-kirk-shooting-internet.html
People are getting fired for allegedly celebrating Charlie Kirk’s murder. It looks like a coordinated effort.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/13/business/charlie-kirk-death-fired-comments
‘Just Kill ‘Em’: Fox Host Makes Shocking Comment On Homeless People
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/brian-kilmeade-homeless-just-kill-em_n_68c595abe4b0efc9da5fe3d0
Calling for mass murder, by the state, is heinous and obviously get someone fired. But that won’t happen, most likely, because it’s f’ing Fox “News”.
Kirk’s funeral next weekend is going to pose an enormous test for law enforcement, particularly the US Secret Service, which is facing strain and pressure.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/15/politics/charlie-kirk-memorial-arizona-security
FBI Director Kash Patel criticized for his actions and posts during Charlie Kirk shooting investigation.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/kash-patel-criticized-actions-posts-charlie-kirk-shooting-investigatio-rcna231043
After Kirk’s killing a growing chorus of conservatives wants his critics ostracized or fired.
https://apnews.com/article/kirk-trump-cancel-culture-assassination-4d69649e382ea46d8dcf794150a1d3c9
It’s one thing to celebrate someone’s murder – that’s completely unacceptable and disgusting. But criticizing someone’s political/ideological views? That’s free speech.
Trump Snubs Kennedy Center’s Charlie Kirk Vigil After Weekend at Golf Club
https://www.thedailybeast.com/donald-trump-snubs-charlie-kirk-kennedy-center-vigil-after-weekend-at-golf-club/
Kirk’s death reinvigorates Republicans’ redistricting race.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/14/charlie-kirk-indiana-redistricting-00563252
Trump administration seeks $58 million security boost after Charlie Kirk assassination.
The funding request would enhance security for the executive and judicial branches of government.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/trump-administration-seeks-58-million-security-boost-charlie-kirk-rcna231150
Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade apologizes for saying mentally ill homeless people should be executed.
https://apnews.com/article/kilmeade-fox-homeless-executed-apology-bffb74e9d672b79853dc6fb8eb29afc8
This guy’s been horrible for years. Also, presumably he was told by his management to “apologize”.
How the Right Turned Charlie Kirk’s Murder Into a Propaganda Masterclass
https://paulwaldman.substack.com/p/how-the-right-turned-charlie-kirks?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=2037691&post_id=173702949&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjo3MDY5NTMsInBvc3RfaWQiOjE3MzcwMjk0OSwiaWF0IjoxNzU4MDI5Nzg2LCJleHAiOjE3NjA2MjE3ODYsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0yMDM3NjkxIiwic3ViIjoicG9zdC1yZWFjdGlvbiJ9.Fb22WOX4KS-wDjXtWLASQu68sVAUWkNKeoCSolc-Jmo&r=f5hl&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
JD Vance Hints At Crackdown On Mainstream Liberals While Hosting Charlie Kirk’s Podcast
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jd-vance-charlie-kirk-show_n_68c86827e4b00ea64839bd7a?ncid=NEWSSTAND0001
JD Vance is despicable!
Trump Advisers Prepare to Target Left-Leaning Groups After Kirk Shooting
https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/charlie-kirk-shooting-death-republican-reaction-456d6237?st=7izhQb&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink
Trump’s cherry-picked claims on political violence ignore his own rhetoric.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/15/politics/political-violence-trump-charlie-kirk
Pam Bondi Threatens Charges Over Office Depot Employee Who Refused To Print Charlie Kirk Flyers: ‘We Can Prosecute You’
https://www.mediaite.com/media/tv/pam-bondi-threatens-charges-over-office-depot-employee-who-refused-to-print-charlie-kirk-flyers-we-can-prosecute-you/
No, that’s exactly what the First Amendment is for.
GOP’s idea of free speech is you must praise Charlie Kirk or they will destroy you.
https://deanobeidallah.substack.com/p/gops-idea-of-free-speech-is-you-must
Top FEMA official resigns after staffers ousted for negative Charlie Kirk comments.
https://www.thehandbasket.co/p/fema-colt-hagmaier-resigns-charlie-kirk